Muskan_umata

When amateur archaeologist Lila unearths an ancient amulet in the scorching desert, she thinks she’s found the key to saving her people from ruin. But the moment she touches it, the ground collapses beneath her, and she wakes up in a world she doesn’t recognize—with a face that isn’t hers. 

Now, trapped in the body of Queen Aurora a legendary ruler whose downfall cursed an entire kingdom, Lila is thrust into a world of political intrigue, ancient magic, and a prophecy she doesn’t understand. According to a fiery phoenix that emerges from the amulet, she must **restore the seven flames—a task that will unite the warring Phoenix and Dragon Kingdoms and heal a rift that has plagued the land for centuries.

But Lila is no queen. She’s a reluctant adventurer with a sharp tongue and a knack for getting into trouble. As she navigates courtly schemes, battles with shadowy enemies, and the growing power of the amulet, she begins to uncover the truth about Queen Aurora’s past—and the dark forces that led to her downfall. 

With time running out and the amulet’s power growing stronger, Lila must decide: will she embrace her new identity as the Phoenix Queen and fulfill the prophecy, or will she fight to return to her old life—even if it means dooming the kingdoms to eternal strife?

Crown of the seven flames

The temple's inner sanctum was a place of unnatural beauty. The walls were carved with intricate runes that glowed faintly, casting shifting patterns of light across the chamber. The air was thick with the scent of incense and something else—something ancient and powerful. At the center of the room, the map rested on a pedestal, bathed in a golden light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat.

I stepped forward, my hand outstretched, but Arl grabbed my arm. "Wait," he said, his voice low. "This feels too easy."

He was right. The temple had been heavily guarded, yet we'd reached the map without encountering a single obstacle. It was as if the path had been cleared for us—or laid as a trap.

"We don't have a choice," I said, pulling free of his grip. "We need that map."

As my fingers brushed the parchment, a surge of energy shot through me, sharp and electric. The room seemed to tilt, and for a moment, I was no longer in the temple. I stood in a vast, sunlit field, the Seven Flames burning brightly in the distance. Their light was blinding, their power overwhelming. But as I reached for them, the flames flickered and died, one by one, until only darkness remained.

I stumbled back, the vision fading as quickly as it had come. The map was in my hands now, its surface warm to the touch. The runes ingraved into its layers glowed faintly, shifting and rearranging themselves as if alive.

"What did you see?" Arl asked, his voice tense.

"The flames," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "They're dying. If we don't find them soon, it'll be too late."

Before Arl could respond, a low, rumbling laugh echoed through the chamber. I turned to see Sey leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed and a smirk playing on his lips.

"Impressive," he said, his golden eyes glinting in the dim light. "I didn't think you'd make it this far."

"What do you want, Sey?" I demanded, clutching the map tightly.

"Oh, nothing much," he said, pushing off the wall and stepping into the room. "Just to remind you that you're playing with forces you don't understand."

"We're not afraid of you," Arl said, stepping between us, his hand on the handle of his sword.

Sey's smirk widened. "You should be."

In a flash of movement, he was gone, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared. The air grew colder, and the runes on the walls dimmed, plunging the chamber into near darkness.

"We need to get out of here," I said, my voice urgent. "Now."

We moved quickly, retracing our steps through the corridors. But the temple seemed to have shifted, the walls closing in around us. The air grew heavier, and the faint sound of whispers echoed in the distance.

"Do you hear that?" Arl asked, his voice tense.

I nodded, my heart pounding. The whispers grew louder, more insistent, until they were almost deafening. I pressed my hands to my ears, but the sound seemed to come from within, a cacophony of voices speaking in a language I couldn't understand.

"Aurora!" Arl's voice cut through the noise, sharp and urgent. "Look out!"

I turned just in time to see a massive stone slab sliding into place, blocking the exit. We were trapped.

Forbidden Temple 3/3